BY DANIEL BARBARISI
Brad Wilkerson has cleaned out his locker, in anticipation of not making the team, reducing the battle for the last Red Sox roster spot to a two-man race between Jeff Bailey and Chris Carter.
Wilkerson has not been formally released or sent down to Triple A, but it is believed the eight-year big-league veteran is weighing his options and his chances of catching on with another major-league team if he were to exercise an out-clause in his contract.
Wilkerson had a miserable spring, hitting .119 in 42 at-bats, with 18 strikeouts. He had two home runs and six RBI.
Defensively, we thought he did a really good job,” manager Terry Francona said. “He just had a tough time offensively.”
Now the choice for that last spot comes down to two extremely similar players, Bailey and Carter. The winner will be on the major-league roster through at least May 1, until Mark Kotsay completes his rehab from a back injury.
Bailey and Carter were the best hitters at Triple-A Pawtucket last year. Bailey won MVP honors of the International League, and both were September call-ups. They both play a decent first base, but are mediocre in the outfield. They’ve both spent a long time in Triple A, Carter the last three years, Bailey the last five.
And they’re both feeling nervous as they approach Opening Day with the chance of making their first big-league team.
“There’s a little bit of tension, I’m not going to lie,” said Bailey, 30, known in the clubhouse for his easygoing demeanor. “Put a little more pressure on myself, that’s usually not a good thing. But what can you do? Just go out and try to do what you do every day anyway.”
Carter, 26, known for his intensity, is equally aware of what every at-bat means. He struck out looking Saturday, and came away clearly rattled.
“I let it get to me. I need to play more relaxed,” Carter said. “It’s coming down to the wire. It really could be there for me, and that’s exciting, that’s really exciting.”
The two haven’t made the decision easy for the Red Sox. They’ve been two of the best hitters in camp, Bailey consistently getting hits, Carter putting on a home-run show.
Carter hit his sixth home run of the spring today against the Phillies, and just missed another when it died at the warning track. He is hitting .359 with 10 RBI and four doubles in 64 spring at-bats.
Bailey had a double and an RBI on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. His 1-for-3 performance actually brought his average down to .356. He has one home run, eight RBI, and six doubles.
Hitting has never been the issue for either man, however. Both have been putting in extra glove work this spring, shoring up their obvious weakness.
Carter can be seen out every morning taking extra balls at first and in the outfield.
“Every day, [coach Tim Bogar] and I do early work for at least an hour,” Carter said. “I don’t want there to be anything where I could have worked harder and done more.”
Bailey has also put in extra time. He is probably the better defender of the two, especially at first base.
“First base, I feel pretty comfortable over there right now,” he said. “The outfield? Still a little shaky. I’m trying to find the little small things that will make me relax more out there. Be able to get better routes. The mental side of it, where to throw and all that, it’s not an issue.”
Francona has noticed.
“Oh yeah. He’s actually come a long way. He’s worked hard, too. He’s so low-key, it doesn’t look like anything bothers him. But maybe that’s part of what we love about him. He handles a lot. He gets called up, he gets sent down, he gets called up, we’re not afraid to play him,” Francona said.
Bailey has gotten September call-ups the last two years, and then been sent down relatively early in spring training the following year. It’s not an easy position for the converted catcher to be in.
“You kind of need guys like that,” Francona continued. “It’s maybe not the most glorious position to be in, but he handles it, and he actually handles it pretty well.”
Bailey thinks it will come down to whether the team prefers the right-handed Bailey or the left-handed Carter.
“He’s hit more home runs than me, our averages are about the same. It’s a coin flip if you go that way, but it’ll be left-handed or right handed, one or the other,” Bailey said.
Francona said that’s less relevant because both men can hit right-handers and left-handers equally well. But if it is an issue, it would seem to favor Carter, because the team already has Rocco Baldelli coming off the bench as a right-handed reserve outfielder.
The decision should come down in the next few days. Carter and Bailey don’t talk about the battle, but both said they’d be happy for the other.
“He’s a great guy, and he deserves it,” Carter said. “But I really want it for sure, too. I hope it goes to me, but if he gets it, I’ll be happy.”
Bailey has seen the big leagues twice before, but making the team out of camp would be another level of achievement, and a vindication for all his time in the minors.
“Making the Boston Red Sox is a big deal,” Bailey said. “It would mean a lot.”
Wilkerson has not been formally released or sent down to Triple A, but it is believed the eight-year big-league veteran is weighing his options and his chances of catching on with another major-league team if he were to exercise an out-clause in his contract.
Wilkerson had a miserable spring, hitting .119 in 42 at-bats, with 18 strikeouts. He had two home runs and six RBI.
Defensively, we thought he did a really good job,” manager Terry Francona said. “He just had a tough time offensively.”
Now the choice for that last spot comes down to two extremely similar players, Bailey and Carter. The winner will be on the major-league roster through at least May 1, until Mark Kotsay completes his rehab from a back injury.
Bailey and Carter were the best hitters at Triple-A Pawtucket last year. Bailey won MVP honors of the International League, and both were September call-ups. They both play a decent first base, but are mediocre in the outfield. They’ve both spent a long time in Triple A, Carter the last three years, Bailey the last five.
And they’re both feeling nervous as they approach Opening Day with the chance of making their first big-league team.
“There’s a little bit of tension, I’m not going to lie,” said Bailey, 30, known in the clubhouse for his easygoing demeanor. “Put a little more pressure on myself, that’s usually not a good thing. But what can you do? Just go out and try to do what you do every day anyway.”
Carter, 26, known for his intensity, is equally aware of what every at-bat means. He struck out looking Saturday, and came away clearly rattled.
“I let it get to me. I need to play more relaxed,” Carter said. “It’s coming down to the wire. It really could be there for me, and that’s exciting, that’s really exciting.”
The two haven’t made the decision easy for the Red Sox. They’ve been two of the best hitters in camp, Bailey consistently getting hits, Carter putting on a home-run show.
Carter hit his sixth home run of the spring today against the Phillies, and just missed another when it died at the warning track. He is hitting .359 with 10 RBI and four doubles in 64 spring at-bats.
Bailey had a double and an RBI on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. His 1-for-3 performance actually brought his average down to .356. He has one home run, eight RBI, and six doubles.
Hitting has never been the issue for either man, however. Both have been putting in extra glove work this spring, shoring up their obvious weakness.
Carter can be seen out every morning taking extra balls at first and in the outfield.
“Every day, [coach Tim Bogar] and I do early work for at least an hour,” Carter said. “I don’t want there to be anything where I could have worked harder and done more.”
Bailey has also put in extra time. He is probably the better defender of the two, especially at first base.
“First base, I feel pretty comfortable over there right now,” he said. “The outfield? Still a little shaky. I’m trying to find the little small things that will make me relax more out there. Be able to get better routes. The mental side of it, where to throw and all that, it’s not an issue.”
Francona has noticed.
“Oh yeah. He’s actually come a long way. He’s worked hard, too. He’s so low-key, it doesn’t look like anything bothers him. But maybe that’s part of what we love about him. He handles a lot. He gets called up, he gets sent down, he gets called up, we’re not afraid to play him,” Francona said.
Bailey has gotten September call-ups the last two years, and then been sent down relatively early in spring training the following year. It’s not an easy position for the converted catcher to be in.
“You kind of need guys like that,” Francona continued. “It’s maybe not the most glorious position to be in, but he handles it, and he actually handles it pretty well.”
Bailey thinks it will come down to whether the team prefers the right-handed Bailey or the left-handed Carter.
“He’s hit more home runs than me, our averages are about the same. It’s a coin flip if you go that way, but it’ll be left-handed or right handed, one or the other,” Bailey said.
Francona said that’s less relevant because both men can hit right-handers and left-handers equally well. But if it is an issue, it would seem to favor Carter, because the team already has Rocco Baldelli coming off the bench as a right-handed reserve outfielder.
The decision should come down in the next few days. Carter and Bailey don’t talk about the battle, but both said they’d be happy for the other.
“He’s a great guy, and he deserves it,” Carter said. “But I really want it for sure, too. I hope it goes to me, but if he gets it, I’ll be happy.”
Bailey has seen the big leagues twice before, but making the team out of camp would be another level of achievement, and a vindication for all his time in the minors.
“Making the Boston Red Sox is a big deal,” Bailey said. “It would mean a lot.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment